Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Is there any better way to eat vegetables than nestled within a warm, fluffy muffin and surrounded by cinnamon and bursts of chocolate? You be the judge. Zucchini bread (or a muffin in this case) does not need to be an oil-laden calorie bomb. Substituting unsweetened applesauce for the oil saves a ton of calories and still produces a decadent, fluffy, delicious result. These muffins are delicious and perfect for breakfast, dessert or a snack. Zucchini for breakfast? Yes, please.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yield:12 servings

Ingredients:

1 ½ c white whole wheat flour

¾ c of sugar

1 t baking soda

1 t ground cinnamon

½ t salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ c unsweetened applesauce

¼ c skim milk

1 T fresh lemon juice

1 t vanilla extract

1 c shredded zucchini

¼ c miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Line 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners or lightly mist the muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and stir until mixed.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg, applesauce, milk, lemon juice and vanilla. Stir until mixed.

Pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until combined, forming a moist batter. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.

Spoon the batter evenly into the liners. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Hey Emily-just a thought-looks like in most of your photos of your “muffins” a good portion of them is stuck to the paper….Try renolds no stick muffin tin liners, or spray the inside of the papers with pam…I find most recipes without added oil do this and the above mentioned methods have worked well for me, also silicone muffin tins work too!

Hi, this recipe sounds wonderful. I have two questions in regards to the sugar though. 1) Can I use less sugar or will the muffins not bake properly? 2) May I substitute sugar for something like Stevia or Maple Syrup?

Just made these for a Saturday morning treat, Delish! I used two egg whites instead of 1 whole egg and used unsweetened almond milk instead of skim. My husband wanted some raisins in them too, so I threw some in. Love all of your recipes!

Hi! I made these this morning and told the 4 year old that they were “chocolate chip muffins.” She loved it and ate the whole thing – a big accomplishment since she refuses to eat zucchini. I also love them and am glad to have found the recipe! Thanks!

These were great! I doubled the recipe and the batter seemed a little dry so I added an extra egg. I did not have any chocolate chips so I added in a little coca powder. I also threw in an extra cup of zucchini because I figured it wouldn’t change it up all that much. They came out very moist and delicious. Thanks for the great recipe! Next time I would like to experiment with a sugar substitute.